Communication device, communication method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A communication device acquires information relating to a first access point from a captured first image, and acquires information relating to a second access point from a captured second image. The communication device then starts communication parameter share processing of sharing a communication parameter, required for establishing a wireless network, with respect to the first access point or the second access point. The communication device starts the communication parameter share processing with respect to the second access point in response to reception of a completion notification indicative of completion of the communication parameter share processing with respect to the first access point, from the first access point.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/690,830, filed on Aug. 30, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/211,950, filed on Jul. 15, 2016, nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,769,734, issued on Sep. 19, 2017, which claimsthe benefit of Japanese Application No. 2015-144394 filed Jul. 21, 2015,which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication technology.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, in many cases, a wireless communication function isinstalled in an electronic device, such as a digital camera, a printer,a mobile phone, or a smartphone, and such a device is used in connectionwith a wireless network.

To connect an electronic device with a wireless network, variousparameters are required to be set, such as an encryption scheme, anencryption key, an authentication scheme, and an authentication key. Asa technology of easily setting these communication parameters, there isa technology that a mobile terminal reads a QR code (registeredtrademark, this note may be omitted hereinafter) indicative of acommunication parameter displayed by an electronic device, and sets theread communication parameter at an access point (Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2014-60623).

With Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-60623, the communicationparameter can be set at the single access point by using the QR code.However, for example, in a network environment in which a plurality ofaccess points are present, such as a network environment of acorporation, it is difficult to set the same communication parameter atthe plurality of access points.

The present invention allows a communication parameter to be furthereasily set at a plurality of access points.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a communication device including a firstacquisition unit configured to acquire information relating to a firstaccess point from a captured first image; a second acquisition unitconfigured to acquire information relating to a second access point froma captured second image; a start unit configured to start communicationparameter share processing of sharing a communication parameter,required for establishing a wireless network, with respect to the firstaccess point or the second access point by using the informationacquired by the first acquisition unit or the information acquired bythe second acquisition unit; and a reception unit configured to receivea completion notification indicative of completion of the communicationparameter share processing with respect to the first access point, fromthe first access point. The start unit starts the communicationparameter share processing with respect to the second access point inresponse to the reception of the completion notification by thereception unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a hardware configuration of acommunication device.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a software functional configuration ofthe communication device.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing an example of a configuration of acommunication system.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing an example of a sequence of acommunication system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing an example of a sequence of thecommunication system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing an example of a sequence of acommunication system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an example of a sequence of acommunication system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a smartphone according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of a smartphone according tothe second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of an access point.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

A communication device according to a first embodiment is describedbelow in detail with reference to the drawings. Described below is anexample using a wireless LAN system in conformity with the Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) 802.11 series.However, the communication form is not necessarily limited to thewireless LAN in conformity with IEEE 802.11.

FIG. 3 illustrates a communication system according to this embodiment.The communication system shown in FIG. 3 includes communication devices,such as a first access point 32 (hereinafter, referred to as first AP),a smartphone 33, a second access point 34 (hereinafter, referred to assecond AP), and a third access point 35 (hereinafter, referred to asthird AP). A wireless network 31 is an intra-corporate wireless network.Partial wireless LAN settings (service set identifiers (SSIDs),pre-shared keys, etc.) of the first AP, the second AP, and the third APare the same. The other wireless LAN settings (for example, basicservice set identifiers (BSSIDs) and other optional functions) aredifferent among the respective APs. Elements such as wireless LANcommunication channels etc. may be the same or different among therespective APs.

In this embodiment, each AP operates as an AP in an infrastructure modedefined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In this embodiment, each AP isdescribed as an AP dedicated device having only an AP function; however,the AP may be a digital camera or a printer having another function inaddition to the AP function.

A hardware configuration according to this embodiment of eachcommunication device in the communication system shown in FIG. 3 isdescribed next with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, reference sign 101entirely denotes a communication device. Reference sign 102 denotes acontrol unit that executes a control program stored in a storage unit103 and hence controls the entire device. The control unit 102 isconfigured of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). Referencesign 103 denotes a storage unit that stores various pieces ofinformation, such as the control program to be executed by the controlunit 102, image data, and a communication parameter. Various operations(described later) are performed by the control unit 102 executing thecontrol program stored in the storage unit 103. The storage unit 103 isconfigured of a storage medium, such as ROM, RAM, HDD, a flash memory,or a removable SD card.

Reference sign 104 denotes a wireless unit for performing wireless LANcommunication in conformity with the IEEE 802.11 series. The wirelessunit 104 is configured of a chip that performs wireless communication.Reference sign 105 denotes a display unit that performs variousdisplaying, and has a function available for output of visuallyrecognizable information, like LCD or LED, or a function available forsound output like a loudspeaker. The display unit 105 has a function ofoutputting at least one of visual information and sound information. Ifthe display unit 105 displays visual information, the display unit 105includes a video RAM (VRAM) that holds image data corresponding tovisual information to be displayed. The display unit 105 executesdisplaying control that causes image data stored in the VRAM to becontinuously displayed on the LCD or LED.

Reference sign 106 denotes an image capturing unit that is configured ofan image pickup element, a lens, and other members, and performscapturing of a picture or moving images. The image capturing unit 106captures an image of, for example, a two-dimensional code, such as abarcode or a QR code (registered trademark). Reference sign 107 denotesan antenna control unit that executes output control of an antenna 108.Reference sign 108 is an antenna that can make communication in a 2.4GHz band and/or a 5 GHz band for wireless LAN communication. Referencesign 109 denotes an input unit. A user makes various inputs and so forthwith the input unit 109 for operating the communication device 101. Theinput unit 109 stores flags corresponding to the inputs in a memory suchas the storage unit 103. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is merely anexample, and the communication device may have another hardwareconfiguration. For example, if the communication device is a printer,the communication device may include a print unit in addition to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1. If the communication device is an APdedicated device, the communication device may not include the imagecapturing unit 106.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of asoftware functional block that executes a communication control function(described later). In this embodiment, a functional block of eachcommunication device is stored as a program in the corresponding storageunit 103, and the function is provided by the control unit 102 executingthe program. The control unit 102 realizes each function by controllingcorresponding hardware and by executing calculation and processing oninformation. The functional block may be partly or entirely configuredof hardware. In this case, the portion included in the functional blockor the entire functional block is configured of, for example, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In FIG. 2, reference sign 201 entirely denotes a software functionalblock. Reference sign 202 denotes a communication parameter controlunit. The communication parameter control unit 202 executescommunication parameter share processing for allowing devices to share acommunication parameter. In the communication parameter shareprocessing, a providing device provides a communication parameter forwireless communication to a reception device. The communicationparameter is a wireless communication parameter required for performingwireless LAN communication. To be specific, the communication parameterincludes at least any one of SSID serving as a network identifier, anencryption scheme, an encryption key, an authentication scheme, and anauthentication key. Also, a media access control (MAC) address, apassphrase, an IP address for performing communication in an IP layer,information required for a higher-order service, etc., may be included.The communication parameter share processing executed by thecommunication parameter control unit 202 may be Wi-Fi Protected Setup(WPS) or Wi-Fi Direct defined by the Wi-Fi alliance; however, it is notlimited thereto.

Reference sign 203 is a barcode reading control unit. The barcodereading control unit 203 analyzes an image of a two-dimensional code,such as a barcode or a QR code, the image of which has been captured bythe image capturing unit 106, and acquires coded information.

Reference sign 204 is a barcode generation control unit. The barcodegeneration control unit 204 executes control for generating, forexample, a two-dimensional code, such as a barcode or a QR code, anddisplaying the two-dimensional code such as the QR code on the displayunit 105. Reference sign 205 denotes a service control unit in anapplication layer. The application layer in this case is a serviceproviding layer in an upper layer in at least five layers in an OSIreference mode. That is, the service control unit 205 executes printprocessing, image streaming processing, file transfer processing, and soforth, by using the wireless communication provided by the wireless unit104.

Reference sign 206 denotes a packet reception unit, and 207 denotes apacket transmission unit. These units control transmission and receptionfor all packets including an upper-layer communication protocol. Also,the packet reception unit 206 and the packet transmission unit 207control the wireless unit 104 for transmission and reception of a packetin conformity with the IEEE 802.11 standard with respect to a targetdevice.

Reference sign 208 is a station function control unit that provides aSTA function operating as a station (STA) in the infrastructure modedefined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. The STA function control unit 208executes, for example, authentication and encryption processing whenoperating as STA. Reference sign 209 is an access point function controlunit that provides an AP function operating as an access point (AP) inthe infrastructure mode defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. The APfunction control unit 209 forms a wireless network, and executesauthentication and encryption processing for STA, management of STA,etc. Reference sign 210 is a data storage unit that controls softwareitself, and writing and reading out of, for example, a communicationparameter and information on a barcode etc. in and from the storage unit103.

The above-described functional block is merely an example. A pluralityof functional blocks may configure a single functional block, or any oneof functional blocks may be divided into a plurality of functionalblocks. Similarly to the description in FIG. 1, if the communicationdevice is an AP dedicated device, the communication device may notinclude the barcode reading control unit 203.

An operation of the communication system having the above-describedconfiguration is described. FIG. 4 illustrates a connection sequence incommunication setting between respective communication devices includingthe first AP 32 and the smartphone 33. Described in this example is acase of setting a wireless LAN parameter from the smartphone to causethe first AP 32 to establish the wireless network 31. In FIG. 4, thesmartphone 33 transmits the wireless LAN parameter required for formingthe wireless network 31 to the first AP 32.

The first AP 32 causes its own display unit 105 to display a QR codehaving information required for setting a communication parameter inaccordance with a user operation (F401). The smartphone 33 reads the QRcode displayed on the first AP 32, by the image capturing unit 106 ofthe smartphone 33 (F402). The smartphone 33 decodes the read QR code,and acquires information indicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33judges whether or not the information acquired from the QR code isinformation required for setting the communication parameter.

In this case, the information required for setting the communicationparameter is, for example, information used for encryption when thecommunication parameter is transmitted or received, and identificationinformation on (of) the device that sets the communication parameter.The information used for encryption when the communication parameter istransmitted or received may be a public key or a certificate. The methodof encrypting the communication parameter by using the public key in theparameter share processing may use, for example, a technology describedin Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-17237. The identificationinformation on (of) the device may be a MAC address or a universalunique identifier (UUID) that uniquely identifies a device. Also, theinformation required for setting the communication parameter may be anidentifier indicative of the communication parameter share processing.Also, identification information of, for example, a one-time passwordscheme using a QR code may be included.

If the information acquired from the QR code is the information requiredfor setting the communication parameter, the smartphone 33 notifies thefirst AP 32 about the information included in the QR code (F403). Inthis case, the information to be transmitted may be all informationincluded in the QR code, or part of the information. Further,information to which information specific to the smartphone 33 is addedmay be notified.

The first AP 32 transmits a parameter share processing start requestsignal to the smartphone 33 on the basis of the identificationinformation on the first AP 32 acquired in F403 from the smartphone 33(F404). The smartphone 33, which has received the parameter shareprocessing start request signal, returns a parameter share processingstart response to the first AP 32 if the communication parameter shareprocessing can be executed (F405).

Then, the communication parameter share processing is executed betweenthe smartphone 33 and the first AP 32 (F406). The communicationparameter share processing in F406 may be in conformity with astandardized scheme, such as the aforementioned WPS, or may be parametershare processing which is not a standardized scheme but is specific tothe corporation. In this embodiment, the communication parameter isprovided from the smartphone 33 to the first AP 32. At a time point whenthe share processing executed in F406 is completed, the first AP 32transmits a parameter share processing completion notificationindicative of the completion of the communication parameter shareprocessing to the smartphone (F407). After the parameter shareprocessing is completed, data communication is executed (F408).

In the operation sequence in FIG. 4, a case has been described, in whichthe wireless LAN access point to newly participate for establishing thewireless network is only the single first AP 32. Described next is anexample in which the AP to newly participate includes a plurality of APsof the first AP 32 and the second AP 34, with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a connection sequence in communication setting amongrespective communication devices including the first AP 32, thesmartphone 33, and the second AP 34.

The first AP 32 and the second AP 34 cause their own display units 105to display QR codes having information required for setting acommunication parameter in accordance with user operations. It is to benoted that the first AP 32 displays the QR code having the informationrequired for setting the communication parameter if the communicationparameter setting mode is instructed by the user (F501). Similarly, thesecond AP 34 also displays the QR code having the information requiredfor setting the communication parameter if the communication parametersetting mode is instructed by the user (F502).

In the first embodiment, the communication parameter setting processingis executed for the first AP 32 and the second AP 34 sequentially one byone. That is, the image of the QR code of one AP is captured and thecommunication parameter setting is completed, and then, the image of theQR code of another AP is captured and the communication parametersetting is executed.

The smartphone 33 first reads the QR code displayed on the first AP 32,by the image capturing unit 106 of the smartphone 33 (F503). Thesmartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, and acquires informationindicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judges whether or not theinformation acquired form the QR code is information required forsetting the communication parameter. If the content of the QR code isthe information required for setting the communication parameter, thesmartphone 33 notifies the first AP 32 about identification informationon the smartphone 33 expected to provide the communication parameter(F504).

The first AP 32 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the smartphone 33 on the basis of the identificationinformation acquired in F504 from the smartphone 33 (F505). Thesmartphone 33, which has received the parameter share processing startrequest signal, returns the parameter share processing start response tothe first AP 32 if the communication parameter share processing can beexecuted (F506).

Then, the communication parameter share processing is executed betweenthe first AP 32 and the smartphone 33 (F507). At a time point when theshare processing executed in F507 is completed, the first AP 32transmits the parameter share processing completion notificationindicative of the completion of the communication parameter shareprocessing to the smartphone 33 (F508).

With the above-described processing, the information on the wirelessnetwork 31 is set at the first AP 32. Then, to connect the second AP 34with the wireless network 31, the smartphone 33 reads out the QR codedisplayed on the second AP 34, by the image capturing unit 106 of thesmartphone 33 (F509). The smartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, andacquires information indicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judgeswhether or not the information acquired form the QR code is informationrequired for setting the communication parameter.

If the content of the QR code is the information required for settingthe communication parameter, the smartphone 33 notifies the second AP 34about identification information on the smartphone 33 expected toprovide the communication parameter (F510).

The second AP 34 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the smartphone 33 on the basis of the information on thesmartphone 33 acquired in F510 from the smartphone 33 (F511). Thesmartphone 33, which has received the parameter share processing startrequest signal, returns the parameter share processing start response tothe second AP 34 if the communication parameter share processing can beexecuted (F512).

Then, the communication parameter share processing is executed betweenthe second AP 34 and the smartphone 33 (F513). At a time point when theshare processing executed in F513 is completed, the second AP 34transmits the parameter share processing completion notificationindicative of the completion of the communication parameter shareprocessing to the smartphone 33 (F514).

With the above-described connection sequence, the first AP 32 and thesecond AP 34 can establish the wireless network 31.

Next, a processing flow executed by the smartphone 33 in FIGS. 4 and 5is described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart describingan operation flow that is executed by the smartphone 33. Respectivesteps in the flowchart are processed by the control unit 102 executingthe control program stored in the storage unit 103.

The smartphone 33 activates a communication parameter settingapplication by an operation by the user with the input unit 109, andvalidates an access point sequential setting mode (S801).

The smartphone 33 captures an image of a desirable QR code afteractivating the communication parameter setting application. That is, inthis embodiment, the smartphone 33 captures an image of the QR code ofthe first AP 32 or the second AP 34 (S802). Then, the smartphone 33analyzes the captured QR code (S803). If information acquired byanalyzing the QR code is information required for setting thecommunication parameter, the smartphone 33 executes the parameter shareprocessing with respect to one AP (32 or 34) (S804). Then, thesmartphone 33 waits for the parameter share processing completionnotification indicative of whether or not the share processing has beencompleted (S805). The smartphone 33 further judges whether or not thesmartphone 33 has received the parameter share processing completionnotification (S806), and if the smartphone 33 has not received, thesmartphone 33 repeats step S805 for a predetermined period of time. Incontrast, if the smartphone 33 has received the parameter shareprocessing completion notification in step S806, the smartphone 33causes the user to select whether another AP for the parameter shareprocessing is present or not (S807).

As the selection result, if there is another AP required for setting thecommunication parameter, the smartphone 33 repeats processing from stepS802, and executes the parameter share processing with respect to the APwhose communication parameter is not set yet (AP not being the one AP).The processing from step S802 to step S807 is repeated similarly forthird and later APs if there are APs whose communication parameter is tobe set. In contrast, if setting is not required any more in step S807,the access point sequential setting mode, which has been validated instep S801, is invalidated (S808).

In the above-described first embodiment, by a simple operation such thatthe smartphone captures the image of the QR code displayed on the AP,the wireless parameter can be newly provided to the AP. Accordingly,since a desirable wireless network can be established for an AP by asimple operation, usability of system integrator increases. Inparticular, even when a wireless network established by a plurality ofAPs is newly established, images of QR codes respectively displayed onthe plurality of APs may be sequentially captured with the smartphone.The usability of the system integrator is further increased.

In the first embodiment, to set the communication parameter reliably atthe plurality of APs, a limitation may be added such that an image of aQR code cannot be further captured unless the smartphone 33 receives theparameter share processing completion notification (F508). In this case,when the mode of capturing an image of a QR code is instructed by theuser, the smartphone 33 determines whether or not the smartphone 33 hasreceived the parameter share processing completion notification, andexecutes control not to activate the mode of capturing a QR code inaccordance with the determination result. Accordingly, the parametershare processing can be prevented from being started simultaneously witha plurality of communication devices, and hence the processing load canbe decreased.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the example has been described in which thesmartphone captures the image of the QR code of the second AP after thesmartphone completes the setting of the communication parameter of thefirst AP. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example is describedin which the smartphone captures QR codes of a plurality of APs inadvance. The configuration of the communication system and theconfiguration of each communication device are similar to those in FIGS.1 to 3, and hence the redundant description is omitted.

Described below is an example in which the AP that newly establishes thewireless network 31 includes a plurality of APs of the first AP 32 andthe second AP 34, with reference to FIG. 6. Also this embodiment can beapplied to, not only the case in which a communication parameter is setat two APs, but also the case in which a communication parameter is setat three or more APs.

FIG. 6 illustrates a connection sequence in communication setting amongrespective communication devices including the first AP 32, thesmartphone 33, and the second AP 34.

The first AP 32 and the second AP 34 cause their own display units 105to display QR codes having information required for setting acommunication parameter in accordance with user operations. It is to benoted that the first AP 32 displays the QR code having the informationrequired for setting the communication parameter if the communicationparameter setting mode is instructed by the user (F501). Similarly, thesecond AP 34 also displays the QR code having the information requiredfor setting the communication parameter if the communication parametersetting mode is instructed by the user (F502).

In the second embodiment, the images of the QR codes of the first AP 32and the second AP 34 are collectively captured, and then thecommunication parameter setting processing is executed on the first AP32 and the second AP 34 one by one. That is, images of all QR codes fora plurality of APs being subjects of the communication parameter settingare captured, and then, the communication parameter setting is executedon each of the APs.

The smartphone 33 first reads the QR code displayed on the first AP 32,by the image capturing unit 106 of the smartphone 33 (F601). Thesmartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, and acquires informationindicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judges whether or not theinformation acquired form the QR code is information required forsetting the communication parameter.

Then, the smartphone 33 reads the QR code displayed on the second AP 34,by the image capturing unit 106 of the smartphone 33 (F602). Thesmartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, and acquires informationindicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judges whether or not theinformation acquired form the QR code is information required forsetting the communication parameter.

If the content of the QR code read from the first AP 32 is theinformation required for setting the communication parameter, thesmartphone 33 notifies the first AP 32 about identification informationon the smartphone 33 expected to provide the communication parameter(F504).

The first AP 32 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the smartphone 33 on the basis of the identificationinformation acquired in F504 from the smartphone 33 (F505). Thesmartphone 33, which has received the parameter share processing startrequest signal, returns the parameter share processing start response tothe first AP 32 if the communication parameter share processing can beexecuted (F506).

Then, the communication parameter share processing is executed betweenthe first AP 32 and the smartphone 33 (F507). At a time point when theshare processing executed in F507 is completed, the first AP 32transmits the parameter share processing completion notificationindicative of the completion of the communication parameter shareprocessing to the smartphone 33 (F508).

With the above-described processing, the information on the wirelessnetwork 31 is set at the first AP 32. Subsequently, the processing isexecuted with respect to the second AP 34. If the content of the QR coderead from the second AP 34 is the information required for setting thecommunication parameter, the smartphone 33 notifies the second AP 34about identification information on the smartphone 33 expected toprovide the communication parameter (F510).

The second AP 34 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the smartphone 33 on the basis of the information on thesmartphone 33 acquired in F510 from the smartphone 33 (F511). Thesmartphone 33, which has received the parameter share processing startrequest signal, returns the parameter share processing start response tothe second AP 34 if the communication parameter share processing can beexecuted (F512).

Then, the communication parameter share processing is executed betweenthe second AP 34 and the smartphone 33 (F513). At a time point when theshare processing executed in F513 is completed, the second AP 34transmits the parameter share processing completion notificationindicative of the completion of the communication parameter shareprocessing to the smartphone 33 (F514).

With the above-described connection sequence, the first AP 32 and thesecond AP 34 can establish the wireless network 31.

Next, a processing flow executed by the smartphone 33 in FIG. 6 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing anoperation flow that is executed by the smartphone 33. Respective stepsin the flowchart are processed by the control unit 102 executing thecontrol program stored in the storage unit 103.

The smartphone 33 activates a communication parameter settingapplication by an operation by the user with the input unit 109, andvalidates an access point collective setting mode (S901).

Then the smartphone 33 captures an image of the QR code of the first AP32 or the second AP 34 after activating the communication parametersetting application (S902). Then, the smartphone 33 analyzes thecaptured QR code (S903). If information acquired by analyzing the QRcode is information required for setting the communication parameter,the information is stored. The smartphone 33 causes the user to selectwhether another AP for the parameter share processing is present or not(S904). As the selection result, if there is another AP required forsetting the communication parameter, the processing from step S902 isrepeated.

In contrast, in step S904, if setting is no longer required, thesmartphone 33 checks the number of captured QR codes, that is, thenumber of APs required for setting the communication parameter (S905).

The smartphone 33 executes the parameter share processing with respectto a desirable AP from the acquired information (S906). Then, thesmartphone 33 waits for the parameter share processing completionnotification indicative of the completion of the parameter shareprocessing (S907). The smartphone 33 judges whether or not thesmartphone 33 has received the parameter share processing completionnotification (S908), and if the smartphone 33 has not received, thesmartphone 33 repeats step S907 for a predetermined period of time. Incontrast, if the smartphone 33 has received the parameter shareprocessing completion notification in step S908, the smartphone 33judges whether another AP, with which the parameter share processing isbeing executed, is present or not (S909). To be specific, the judgmentis made by comparison between the number information stored in step S905and the number of APs that have transmitted the parameter shareprocessing completion notification (S909).

As the judgment result, if there is another AP required for setting thecommunication parameter, the processing from step S906 is repeated. Incontrast, if setting is not required any more in step S909, the accesspoint collective setting mode, which has been validated in step S901, isinvalidated (S910).

As described above, in the second embodiment, reading out second andlater QR codes can be started without waiting for the end of thecommunication parameter share processing based on the first read QRcode. Accordingly, the usability of the user is further increased, inaddition to the advantageous effects acquired by the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, the example has been described inwhich the smartphone executes communication parameter setting on aplurality of APs. In the third embodiment, an example is described inwhich, after the smartphone completes the communication parametersetting on the first AP, the first AP executes the communicationparameter setting on the residual second AP and third AP instead of thesmartphone. The configuration of the communication system and theconfiguration of each communication device are similar to those in FIGS.1 to 3, and hence the redundant description is omitted.

FIG. 7 illustrates a connection sequence in communication setting amongrespective communication devices including the first AP 32, thesmartphone 33, the second AP 34, and the third AP 35.

The first AP 32, the second AP 34, and the third AP 35 cause their owndisplay units 105 to display QR codes having information required forsetting the communication parameter in accordance with user operations.It is to be noted that the first AP 32 displays the QR code having theinformation required for setting the communication parameter if thecommunication parameter setting mode is instructed by the user (F701).Similarly, the second AP 34 and the third AP 35 also display the QRcodes having the information required for setting the communicationparameter if the communication parameter setting mode is instructed bythe user (F702, F703).

In the third embodiment, the images of the QR codes of the first AP 32,the second AP 34, and the third AP are collectively captured, and thenthe smartphone 33 executes the communication parameter settingprocessing with desirable one of the APs. The communication parametersetting processing with respect to the other residual APs is executedbetween the smartphone 33 and the specific one AP which has executed thesetting processing. That is, after all the QR codes of the plurality ofAPs being the subjects of the communication parameter setting arecaptured, the specific one AP executes the communication parametersetting processing as a proxy device of the smartphone 33.

The smartphone 33 first reads the QR code displayed on the first AP 32,by the image capturing unit 106 of the smartphone 33 (F704). Thesmartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, and acquires informationindicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judges whether or not theinformation acquired form the QR code is information required forsetting the communication parameter.

Then, the smartphone 33 reads the QR code displayed on the second AP 34,by the image capturing unit 106 of the smartphone 33 (F705). Thesmartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, and acquires informationindicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judges whether or not theinformation acquired form the QR code is information required forsetting the communication parameter.

Then, the smartphone 33 reads the QR code displayed on the third AP 35,by the image capturing unit 106 of the smartphone 33 (F706). Thesmartphone 33 decodes the read QR code, and acquires informationindicated by the QR code. The smartphone 33 judges whether or not theinformation acquired form the QR code is information required forsetting the communication parameter.

If the content of the QR code read from the first AP 32 is theinformation required for setting the communication parameter, thesmartphone 33 notifies the first AP 32 about identification informationon the smartphone 33 expected to provide the communication parameter(F707).

The first AP 32 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the smartphone 33 on the basis of the identificationinformation acquired in F707 from the smartphone 33 (F708). Thesmartphone 33, which has received the parameter share processing startrequest signal, returns the parameter share processing start response tothe first AP 32 if the communication parameter share processing can beexecuted (F709). Then, the communication parameter share processing isexecuted between the first AP 32 and the smartphone 33 (F710).

In this embodiment, the smartphone 33 notifies the first AP 32 alsoabout the information on the second AP 34 and the information on thethird AP 35 acquired in F705 and F706 in the communication parametershare processing executed with respect to the first AP 32. Then, thefirst AP 32 which has received these pieces of information judgeswhether or not the first AP 32 has a function of providing thecommunication parameter acquired from the smartphone 33 to the other APs(hereinafter, referred to as proxy function). If the first AP 32 has theproxy function, the first AP 32 notifies the smartphone 33 about thatthe first AP 32 has the proxy function.

Then, the first AP 32 notifies the second AP 34 about identificationinformation on the first AP 32 expected to provide the communicationparameter, on the basis of the information on the second AP 34 receivedfrom the smartphone 33 (F711).

The second AP 34 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the first AP 32 on the basis of the identification informationacquired in F711 from the first AP 32 (F712). The first AP 32, which hasreceived the parameter share processing start request signal, returnsthe parameter share processing start response to the second AP 34 if thecommunication parameter share processing can be executed (F713). Then,the communication parameter share processing is executed between thefirst AP 32 and the second AP 34 (F714).

Subsequently, the first AP 32 makes communication with the third AP 35.The first AP 32 notifies the third AP 35 about the identificationinformation on the first AP 32 expected to provide the communicationparameter, on the basis of the information on the third AP 35 receivedfrom the smartphone 33 (F715).

The third AP 35 transmits the parameter share processing start requestsignal to the first AP 32 on the basis of the identification informationacquired in F715 from the first AP 32 (F716). The first AP 32, which hasreceived the parameter share processing start request signal, returnsthe parameter share processing start response to the third AP 35 if thecommunication parameter share processing can be executed (F717). Then,the communication parameter share processing is executed between thefirst AP 32 and the third AP 35 (F718).

The first AP 32 which has completed the communication parameter shareprocessing with respect to the second AP 34 and the third AP 35transmits the parameter share processing completion notification to thesmartphone 33 (F719). In this case, the completion notification to betransmitted may include information indicative of the completion of theparameter share processing with respect to the second AP 34 and thethird AP 35.

Next, a processing flow executed by each AP in FIG. 7 is described withreference to FIG. 10. Respective steps in the flowchart in FIG. 10 areprocessed by the control unit 102 executing the control program storedin the storage unit 103. Also, this flowchart is started when an APreceives providing device information transmitted from another device.

First, an AP (for example, first AP 32) transmits the parameter shareprocessing start request to a target device being a transmission sourceof the providing device information (S1001).

Then, the AP waits for parameter share processing start response fromthe target device (S1002). If the AP receives the parameter shareprocessing start response (YES in S1003), the AP executes the parametershare processing with the target device being the transmission source ofthe parameter share processing start response (S1004). If the AP doesnot receive the parameter share processing start response for apredetermined period of time (NO in S1004), the flow may be ended inerror.

When the parameter share processing with the target device is ended inS1004, the first AP 32 judges whether or not the first AP 32 is notifiedabout identification information on another AP from the target device inthe parameter share processing (S1005). If the information on the otherAP is notified (YES in S1005), the first AP 32 judges whether or not thefirst AP 32 has the proxy function (S1006). In contrast, if it is judgedthat the information on the other AP is not notified in S1005 (NO inS1005), the first AP 32 transmits the parameter share processingcompletion notification to the target device (S1009), and the processingis ended.

In S1006, if the first AP 32 judges to have the proxy function (YES inS1006), the smartphone 33 notifies the target device about that thefirst AP 32 has the proxy function, and the processing goes to S1007. Incontrast, in S1006, if it is judged that the first AP 32 does not havethe proxy function (NO in S1006), the smartphone 33 notifies the targetdevice (about) that the first AP 32 does not have the proxy function andabout the parameter share processing completion notification, and theprocessing is ended.

In S1007, the first AP 32 transmits the identification information onthe first AP 32 as the providing device information to another AP (forexample, second AP 34), and executes the parameter share processing withrespect to the second AP 34. When the parameter share processing withrespect to the second AP 34 is ended, the first AP 32 judges whether ornot still another AP, with which the parameter share processing is to beexecuted, remains (S1008). If still another AP remains, the parametershare processing is executed with that AP (for example, third AP 35)(S1007). If there is no AP, with which the parameter share processing isto be executed, the first AP transmits the completion notification tothe target device (the target device that has executed the parametershare processing in S1004), and the processing is ended (S1009). Thecompletion notification transmitted in this case may include informationindicative of that the parameter share processing with the other AP iscompleted.

In the above-described third embodiment, the device provided with thecommunication parameter (for example, the first AP 32) provides thecommunication parameter to another access point (for example, the secondAP 34, the third AP 35) instead of the smartphone 33. Accordingly, theefficiency of the processing in the entire communication system can beincreased. Also, the load of the smartphone can be distributed. In thethird embodiment, the example has been described in which thecommunication parameter is set at the three APs; however, the number ofAPs is not limited to three, and this embodiment can be applied to twoor more APs.

Modifications

In the respective embodiments described above, each message transmittedbetween the smartphone and the access point may be transmitted by using,for example, an action frame based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Forexample, all or a portion of the providing device information, theparameter share processing start request, the parameter share processingstart response, and the parameter share processing completionnotification may be transmitted by using the action frame based on theIEEE 802.11 standard.

Also, the above-described embodiments may be properly combined. Forexample, a user may select one of the respective embodiments withhis/her operation so that the smartphone operates according to theselected embodiment. For example, the display unit of the smartphone maydisplay a screen that allows the user to select the mode of operationfrom among “AP sequential setting mode (first embodiment),” “APcollective setting mode (second embodiment),” and “proxy request mode(third embodiment),” and the user may select one of these.

In the above-described embodiments, the configuration has been describedin which the information for setting the communication parameter istransmitted between the devices by using the image of the QR code.However, instead of capturing the QR code, wireless communication, suchas NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), may be used. Alternatively,wireless communication, such as IEEE 802.11ad or TransferJet (registeredtrademark), may be used.

The QR code to be read is not only the QR code displayed on the displayunit, but may be also a QR code attached to a housing of a communicationdevice in a manner written on a seal etc., or may be directly written onthe housing. Alternatively, the QR code to be read may be written on anoperation manual, or an attachment such as packaging like a cardboardcarton at the sale of the communication device. Also, without limitingto the QR code, a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional codeother than the QR code may be used. Also, instead of machine-readableinformation, such as the QR code, information in a user-readable formmay be used. An image of the user-readable information can be capturedand analyzed.

Also, in each embodiment, the case has been described in which thecommunication is made between the devices by the wireless LANcommunication in conformity with IEEE 802.11. However, it is not limitedthereto. For example, a wireless communication medium, such as wirelessUSB, MBOA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, ZigBee, or NFC, may beused for communication. In this case, MBOA is an abbreviation for MultiBand OFDM Alliance. Also, UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394,WINET, and so forth.

Also, in each embodiment, the case has been described in which thewireless parameter is provided at the access point of wireless LAN.However, it is not limited thereto. For example, a case of providing awireless parameter to a device operable as a group owner of Wi-Fi Direct(registered trademark) that serves as a function corresponding to anaccess point may be included.

The communication device is not limited to the smartphone or the accesspoint dedicated device, and may include a PC, any of various smartdevices, a digital camera, a printer, and any one of various digitalhome electrical products.

The present invention can be realized by processing of supplying aprogram that realizes at least one function of the above-describedembodiments to a system or a device through a network or a storagemedium, reading out the stored program by at least one processor in acomputer of the system or the device, and executing the read program.Also, the present invention can be realized by using a circuit (forexample, ASIC) that realizes at least one function.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device comprising: an executionunit configured to use information acquired by another communicationdevice by said another communication device capturing an image, andexecute communication parameter share processing of sharing acommunication parameter required for establishing a wireless networkwith respect to said another communication device; a reception unitconfigured to receive information on an access point, on which thecommunication parameter share processing is to be executed, from saidanother communication device; and a start unit configured to startcommunication parameter share processing of sharing the communicationparameter with respect to the access point on the basis of theinformation received by the reception unit after the communicationparameter share processing is executed by the execution unit.
 2. Thecommunication device according to claim 1, wherein the communicationdevice is an access point.
 3. The communication device according toclaim 1, wherein the reception unit receives the information on theaccess point, on which the communication parameter share processing isto be executed, in the communication parameter share processing executedwith respect to said another communication device.
 4. The communicationdevice according to claim 1, wherein the communication parameterincludes at least one of a network identifier of the wireless network,an encryption scheme, an encryption key, an authentication scheme, andan authentication key.
 5. The communication device according to claim 1,wherein the communication parameter includes at least one of a networkidentifier of the wireless network, an encryption scheme, an encryptionkey, an authentication scheme, and an authentication key.
 6. Thecommunication device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless networkis a network of a wireless local area network in conformity with IEEE802.11 series.
 7. The communication device according to claim 1, whereinthe image includes a barcode or a two-dimensional code.
 8. Acommunication method comprising: using information acquired by anothercommunication device by said another communication device capturing animage, and executing communication parameter share processing of sharinga communication parameter required for establishing a wireless networkwith respect to said another communication device; receiving informationon an access point, on which the communication parameter shareprocessing is to be executed, from said another communication device;and starting communication parameter share processing of sharing thecommunication parameter with respect to the access point on the basis ofthe information received from said another communication device afterthe communication parameter share processing is executed with respect tosaid another communication device.
 9. A computer-readable storage mediumstoring a program for causing a communication device to executeprocesses, the processes comprising: using information acquired byanother communication device by said another communication devicecapturing an image, and executing communication parameter shareprocessing of sharing a communication parameter required forestablishing a wireless network with respect to said anothercommunication device; receiving information on an access point, on whichthe communication parameter share processing is to be executed, fromsaid another communication device; and starting communication parametershare processing of sharing the communication parameter with respect tothe access point on the basis of the information received from saidanother communication device after the communication parameter shareprocessing is executed with respect to said another communicationdevice.